Harbaugh won’t name starting quarterback

On Wednesday, Jim Harbaugh said on KNBR that he expected to make a decision on his starting quarterback in a “timely fashion.”

He didn’t, however, say he would announce that decision publicly.

On Friday, less than 48 hours before the 49ers play the Saints, Harbaugh said mum’s the word on whether Colin Kaepernick or Alex Smith will start for the 49ers in New Orleans.

Harbaugh said he sees “no competitive advantage” in declaring who his starting quarterback will be. Is there a competitive advantage in not releasing it?

“Possibly. I’m not saying that … 1 percent, maybe,” Harbaugh said. “A small percentage. We’ll chase that. Sure. Just like at any position, we just do not get into what the role is going to be. How we’re using going to use players. The specifics of that.”

At this point, based on a national report, the words of 49ers safety Donte Whitner and the fact that Smith still wasn’t medically cleared to play as of Friday, it appears 99 percent certain it will be Kaepernick lining up behind center.

On Friday morning, Whitner appeared on “The Dan Patrick Show” and said he’s under the impression Kaepernick will start. As for the Sports Illustrated report from Wednesday that Harbaugh informed Smith that Kaepernick would start, Harbaugh termed it “not factual.”

Harbaugh was more eager to discuss Smith’s medical outlook, saying he expects the eight-year veteran to be medically cleared Saturday, meaning he would be available for Sunday’s game. Smith took his “contact test” Friday and is listed as questionable on the injury report after sustaining a concussion Nov. 11.

Harbaugh, who never discusses injury information, even went into some detail in discussing Smith’s post-concussion symptoms. Why? In doing so, he’s letting the Saints know Smith could play, hoping to keep them at least 1 percent in the dark.

“Alex went through his final test today and will be cleared tomorrow, if there’s no symptoms,” Harbaugh said. “And it’s been good. He hasn’t had any symptoms since Tuesday. So that’s a real positive.”

Beyond the various clues this week, Kaepernick’s performance in a 32-7 win against the Bears on Monday night is another compelling reason he figures to make his second straight start. The Saints have been tossing around superlatives this week after studying a performance in which Kaepernick completed 14 of his first 18 passes for 231 yards and two touchdowns en route to leading the 49ers to a 27-0 third-quarter lead.

New Orleans interim coach Joe Vitt termed it “absolutely phenomenal,” and safety Roman Haper labeled it “amazing.” Safety Malcolm Jenkins said the 49ers’ offense didn’t look different with Kaepernick at the controls, a nod to the second-year signal-caller’s ability to pick up San Francisco’s system.

“He was very poised and definitely impressed a lot of people …,” Jenkins said. “We saw Kaepernick has a big arm. He can make all the throws. And the offense ran the same with him.”